Here is a comprehensive Photographic tutorial on how to Service and Maintain your Penn Fathom Star Drag Reel.

Inside the LH Side plate...

Remove the spool and Floating Spindle

Hmmmm... gross!

So far...

Inside the Main gearing

At this point, you want to clean all parts thoroughly in a Benzine bath, scrubbing with a toothbrush and inspecting for corrosion and rust.

This is a serious design flaw in the Fathom, where the Anti-reverse bearing is glued or fixed to the Frame of the reel. This makes servicing the Anti-reverse bearing a major mission. Anyhow, I worked out a way to remove the bearing, but it is a high risk manoevre!!

DISCLAIMER: You follow the removal instructions below at your OWN RISK! This is really the only way of removing the bearing, but there is a risk of fracturing the Reel frame!

Purefishing don't supply replacement bearings, they supply a whole new RH Side plate.

Because of this accessibility problem, Anti-reverse bearings need to be OILED lightly straight out the box, otherwise they will rust.The Cast Control knob...

If you're going to use this reel to wade with, then you MUST block the drainage holes on the bottom of the reel. The drainage holes on this reel are slightly larger than on most others and will let water in, causing havoc with the innards.

If you've submerged the reel for any reason without blocking the holes, then you will have corrosion overnight and sand penetration of the reel will hamper function the next day.

As with all fishing reels, maintenance of your equipment is mandatory. Rinse your reels with fresh water after fishing. If you've fished a day with harsh conditions, wind blowing etc, then you need to take the handle off and clean out the sand and salt underneath the Star Drag.

Hope this helps someone out there with keeping your kit in tip-top shape, while saving you money!!